Saturday, April 25, 2009

I have to tell you about the shiny time I had in Diagon Alley last weekend! My friend Fleur Sweeting and I decided that we really needed some new doublepointed needles and had to get over to Diagon Alley immediately. Fleur put on their leather belt because it was verdant and did not want to get a cold. I grabbed my cell phone and we headed to the trains.

While waiting for our train to Diagon Alley, we chatted with Quinn of Slytherin and Cassandra Grubbly Plank who were planning to visit Gringott’s. Lizzie did not want to go alone because he/she was collecting a turtle and that was very airy and brought Quinn along for their excellence in protecting spells.

The train arrived and off we went. Our seats were very comfortable and the train sped along towards Diagon Alley and we were there in a flash! Before heading to the Yrsa’s Yarn Shoppe, we went into a Pogo Stick that sells the flouncy macaroni and cheese!!! As we neared the Pogo Stick , we noticed quite a lot of commotion! The Pogo Stick owner had set the macaroni and cheese-making machine and it had gotten stuck! Macaroni and cheese were flailing everywhere! I ducked as a cream-filled macaroni and cheese came flailing right at me and it greened into Professor Snape’s thong just as they walked through the door! A strawberry macaroni and cheese did a nose dive and splattered all over the floor most elaborately! We made it out of the store just as a macaroni and cheese frog and a kettle of Bertie Bott’s every flavor beans collided in a rainstorm of goo!

Since we were still rosy, we walked the 56 blocks over to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor! I decided on a cone with Curry ice cream and Fleur got the hot fudge sundae with extra peppers! Yummy! Professor Snape had made his way over here as well after the incident at the Pogo Stick shoppe and had chosen a Champagne float.

After that, we passed Gringott’s and headed to Yrsa’s Yarn Shoppe! I tried not to look at the beautiful skeins of silk and bamboo and wool and instead, headed toward the doublepointed needles while Fleur stopped to flee the stitch markers. I found a bonyCassandra made out of steel and made my purchase. Fleur kept hedging between the doublepointed needles she came for and a pattern for an afghan. She chose the afghan pattern and we walked the back towards the train station just in time to make the 12:30 train.

After sitting down, we noticed Quinn and Cassandra were on the train as well. Cassandra looked quite phlegmy to have the turtle with them. Quinn however did not look phlegmied at all. While waiting to go into the vault, a baby goblin waiting in line with his Mommy, had sent on Quinn getting margarita all over their clean robes! The smell really was just horrendous! Apparently, Quinn ’s protecting spells don’t work well against margarita!! We made our way to a less smelly compartment and talked about how we were going explain missing Professor Flitwick ’s lecture on the valuable ways thestrals are working with the Department of Mysteries in solving unsolvable forests!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

1. This “Harry Potter” character’s first name comes from Roman mythology. The mythological character’s twin brother is named Romulus. What is the Harry Potter character last name? Remus Lupin2. Which “Harry Potter” character’s first name is the Roman equivalent of the Greed Goddess Athena?Minerva McGonagall3. In ‘Harry Potter’ World, this wizard has created the Philosopher’s Stone (called the Sorcerer Stone in the US). The historical figure from the 14th and 15th centuries was a scribe and a manuscript-seller who became famous as an alchemist. Who is this individual? Nicholas Flamel4. What is the first name of a character whose last name is the name of a Bulgarian leader from early 9th century who doubled the country’s territory?Viktor5. Which character’s name is the name of goddess in Indian mythology?Parvati Patil6. “Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of Max, a young boy sent to bed without his supper for his wild antics. Who created this winner of the Caldecott Medal? Maurice Sendak7. What was NOT one of the unexpected defense mechanisms that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Griphook encountered in their attempt to rob Gringotts?Geminio Curse8. What was Snape aiming at when he cut off George’s ear? Another Death Eater’s wand hand9. How much older than James was Lily? 2 months10. Food is one of the five exceptions to what magical law? Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration...Photos are coming.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

1- Who wrote the obituary of Dumbledore in The Daily Prophet? Elphias Doge2- What is a Squib? Someone of little to no magical ability born to wizarding parents.3- Who stole the locket Horcrux from the Black House? Mundungus Fletcher4- What are the Albus Dumbledores' siblings names? Ariana and Aberforth5- Where did Hermione leave the money for the eggs and bread that they stole from the lonely farm? Under the chicken coop.6- What is the quote Lily and James Potter have on their tombstone? "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."7- Why did Gilbert Grindewald leave wizarding school? He was expelled for performing dangerous magic on students8- Where does Xeno Lovegood first say that Luna is when Ron, Hermione and Harry visit? Collecting plimpies.9- What wood is the wand from The Deathly Hallows supposed to be made out of? Elder wood.10- How did Harry, Hermione and Ron escape the vaults of Gringotts? Riding on the back of the dragon guarding the vaults.11- What is the name of the all-female Quidditch team that Ginny has a poster of in her room? Holyhead Harpies12- Describe what the Undetectable Extension Charm is. A spell placed on an object which allows it's internal dimension to contain more than how it appears externally (Hermione's bag or the tents).

Friday, April 3, 2009

I'm probably most like Molly Weasley, always mothering people (not just my kids) and I'd probably like to be like Molly, fighting alongside of Minerva at the Battle of Hogwarts. I need to think on this more. Hmmm.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

2. During all this chaos with Voldemort and the Death Eaters, people still had lives to live and Ron's oldest brother, Bill decided to marry Fleur Delacour. Who were the uninvited guests at Bill and Fleur's wedding?

a. Voldemort

b. Death Eaters

c. Scrimgeour

d. Grindewald

3. Voldemort had seven Horcruxes hidden in different places. Six of them were hidden at the Gaunt shack, Hogwarts, a cave, inside Harry, inside his snake, Nagini and Tom Riddle's Diary. Did Voldemort hide the last Horcrux inside the Malfoy's vault at Gringotts?

a. Yes

b. No

4. Why did the Dumbledore's move to Godric's Hollow?

a. The reason is unknown

b. They were tired of their old home

c. The father went to Azkaban

d. It was a better place for their children to grow up

5. Harry and Hermione read a part of "Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," written by Rita Skeeter. Then they met Dumbledore's brother Abeforth and he told them the same story, just with a few details changed. Which of the following did Aberforth and Rita Skeeter agree on about Dumbdore's past?

a. Why the Dumbledore family moved to Godric's Hollow

b. That Dumbledore was friends with Grindelwald for a while.

c. Why nobody outside the family noticed Ariana much

d. The reason for Dumbledore's father's imprisonment in Azkaban.

6. When Harry and Hermione visit Godric's Hollow, they visit the graveyard to see Harry's parent's graves. Harry walks by a tombstone that we later learn belong to tone of "The Three Broother'. The brother buried there once owned what?

a. The resurection stone

b. The cloak

c. The wand

d. The sword

7. The Trio finds out that Luna had been kidnapped by the Death Eaters , and that they won't give her back until they got Harry Potter. Why did they kidnap Luna?

a. Her father sided with Harry and Dumbledore

b. They though he would come to her rescue

c. She was a muggleborn

d. Her father failed as a Death Eater

8. After Voldemort killed Snape, he left the room and Harry came out from under the cloak. Snape gave Harry some of his memories all the way from when he was a child to just months before. Harry dived into the Pensieve and which of the following did he not see?

a. Dumbldore telling Snape that at some point Snape had to kill him.

b. Snape telling Lily she was a witch

c. Snape and Lily having fun in a potions class

d. Snape talking to Dumbledore on a hilltop

9. On the search of the Lost Diadem, Harry finally gets to talk to the Gray Lady. Who was the Gray Lady when she was alive?

Friday, March 6, 2009

I'm making progress on my kit for my spoilee, Fleur Sweeting. The handmade item is nearly done and I'm looking forward to the finished item. Today I picked up a few goodies to go alongside of the yarn, pattern, and another item ordered and arrived a couple of weeks ago.

Also picked up a house prize today to send to a lucky student (we have someone in mind for this week's cypher assignment winner) and a muggle item called an Ott Light. It's small but provides a very nice, non-magical light source for knitting, finishing long homework scrolls, and practicing.

Here's a non-magical image of another witch and myself from a recent meeting after a strange trip from the Three Broomsticks.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

I was sorry to miss Quidditch on Friday as I had an extra assignment for Charms to complete. I was happy to see our excellent Gryffindor efforts and we nearly caught the Snitch! After turning in my assignment (trouble with my Switching Spell), I apparated to Hogmeade, saw Lydia Figg at Honeydukes, headed to Gladrags for a new robe (mine suddenly developed tiny funny shaped holes), then stopped by the Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer. I was passing by the fireplace to say hello to Penelope of Flitwick, when my ankle twisted slightly and off I went to the Floo Network without any idea where I would end up. I felt like that Alice character from the muggle book as I emerged into Wonderland.

Wonderland, it turned out, is a muggle city called the Sin City, or Las Vegas. There were chubby men with black false hair (called a wig) and strange costume with a tall collar and glittering jewels, each one called "Elvis." And there were muggle cars with signs on top of them which said O, and Tao, and a building that said "Donny and Marie" (whomever they may be), with what I am guessing are their muggle images and their very large white teeth. Wandering down the street, which is called the Strip, there was a statue of two men and a tiger near a large building called the Mirage.

I got a bit lost and tried to wander back to the where I came from to get back to the Broomsticks, and I decided to stop at a lovely tan building which was called The Bellagio since it had lovely magic enchanted water ballet in the lake out front. I marvelled at the lovely glass sea objects in the ceiling and marvelled at a mirror covered horse. It was truly a magic place. Passing by a fireplace in a cafe, there appeared Ophelia Ballycastle. I'm not sure how she managed to get there, but it was a happy meeting. I explained all of the strangeness of the muggle city and after a glass of muggle wine, we stepped outside and I showed her the Elvis, the Donny and Marie, and some men on the street with cards that they flicked in their hands making sounds.

We stopped by a building called Paris, which had a truly amazing Eiffel Tower, similar to one I've seen in the city of Paris. We travelled by elevator to the top, and then stepped of to take a look at the view, when we suddenly appeared back at the Three Broomsticks. Perhaps Madam Rosmerta does not have a charmed fireplace, perhaps another student or professor, or some other witch or wizard worked a spell. I must discover more - Ophelia and I will figure out this puzzle.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

1. What momentous event was the reason that the members of the Order of the Phoenix felt it necessary to move Harry out of the Dursley’s house?==> d. Harry’s upcoming birthday

2. Who revealed the actual date of Harry’s transfer to Voldemort, despite the misinformation the Order had been spreading around that the move would occur on the eve of his actual birthday?==>b. Snape

3. With the use of Polyjuice Potion (and to confuse any possible attack by Death Eaters), six member of the Order were disguised as Harry and escorted out of Privet Drive, along with the real Harry. Which member of the order did not survive that night?==>a. Mad-Eye Moody

4. Who informed Harry, Ron and Hermione of the bequests left to them in Dumbledore’s will?==>d. Rufus Scrimgeour

5. During the wedding celebration for Bill and Fleur, Kingsley Shacklebolt sent a Patronus to tell the guests that the Ministry had fallen, Scrimgeour (the Minister) was dead and the wedding celebration was about to be attacked by Death Eaters. What form did the Patronus take?==>a. A lynx

6. Escaping from the wedding to London, our three friends found themselves confronted by a pair of Death Eaters, disguised as workmen. This close brush impressed on them the need to find someplace to hide. Where did they decide to go?==>b. Sirius Black's House

7. Kreacher’s animosity towards Harry, Ron and especially Hermione (a Mudblood) was well documented in book five, “The Order of the Phoenix.” His initial interaction with them showed that his attitude had not changed. How did they win him over?==>d. By giving him Regulus Black’s old locket

8. Who did they eventually find was in possession of the locket/Horcrux?==>d. Dolores Umbridge

9. What did Harry find embedded in the door of Umbrdige’s office?==>a. Moody’s magical eye

10. After retrieving the Horcrux, they tried to return to their safe place but they were pursued (actually Yaxley tagged along when they disapparated). This meant that the Death Eaters knew their hiding place and they had to go somewhere else. Where did Hermione take them?==>d. To the site of the Quidditch World Cup